Stem Cell Clinic

Stem cell vaccine found to increase immune responses, inhibit tumors in animal models – Medical Xpress

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May 10, 2017 John Morris, M.D. Credit: University of Cincinnati

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have found that a cancer stem cell vaccine, engineered to express a pro-inflammatory protein called interleukin-15 (IL-15) and its receptor (IL-15Ralpha), caused T cell production in animal models and enhanced immune responses against tumors.

This T cell production showed a cellular immune response that could lead to new immunotherapy treatments for cancer with improved side effects.

These findings are being presented via poster abstract at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., May 10-13.

"IL-15 is a powerful stimulator of the maturation and activation of T cells and natural killer cells that recognize and attack tumor cells. Human IL-15 was first used in Phase I clinical trials to test its efficacy for treatment of a number of cancers, including melanoma and kidney cancer, but caused a number of side effects that made high doses difficult for patients to tolerate," says John Morris, MD, co-author of this study, clinical co-leader of the Molecular Therapeutics and Diagnosis Program for the Cincinnati Cancer Consortium, co-leader of the UC Cancer Institute's Comprehensive Lung Cancer Program, professor in the Division of Hematology Oncology at the UC College of Medicine and UC Health medical oncologist. "In this work, we showed that transferring the genes for both IL-15 with its receptor into cancer cells increased the cell-surface presentation of IL-15 to T cells, and in turn, stopped the tumor cells from reproducing with little evidence of side effects in animal models.

"In an effort to enhance antitumor activity and reduce side effects, we studied a vaccine targeting cancer stem cells, the cells in a tumor thought to be resistant that give rise to recurrent tumors after treatment, by genetically altering them to express IL-15 and IL-15Ralpha to see if lung cancers implanted in animal models shrunk."

Using animal models and their lung cancer cell lines, researchers introduced the IL-15/IL-15Ralpha-modified lung cancer stem cells as a vaccine and saw dramatically reduced tumor growth.

"Animal lung cancer stem cells expressing IL-15 and IL-15Ralpha stimulated proliferation of T cells suggesting the ability to enhance immune responses," he says. "These findings further support evidence of IL-15's ability as a cancer treatment. We are continuing vaccination studies in animal models with hopes of moving this research to a Phase I trial in humans to see if side effects are reduced."

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Stem cell vaccine found to increase immune responses, inhibit tumors in animal models - Medical Xpress

Adaptimmune Therapeutics (ADAP) Begins Study on SPEAR T-Cell Therapy Targeting AFP in Liver Cancer – StreetInsider.com

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Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: ADAP), a leader in T-cell therapy to treat cancer, today announced that it has initiated the first site for its AFP SPEAR T-cell study in patients with locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, the sixth most common cancer worldwide. This study is now open for enrollment.

This is Adaptimmunes second wholly-owned therapeutic candidate to enter clinical trials. The Company already has ongoing studies to evaluate its T-cell therapy targeting the MAGE-A10 cancer antigen in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, urothelial cancer, melanoma, or head and neck cancers.

We are excited to initiate this study to evaluate our AFP T-cell therapeutic candidate in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, said Rafael Amado, Adaptimmunes Chief Medical Officer. HCC is one of the more common and deadly types of cancer worldwide and there is an urgent need for effective therapies for advanced disease.

This is a Phase I, open label, dose escalation study designed to evaluate the safety and anti-tumor activity of Adaptimmunes alpha fetoprotein (AFP) therapeutic candidate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study will enroll up to 30 patients with measurable, histologically confirmed HCC, not amenable to resection or loco-regional therapy, and with progressive disease. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of this second-line therapy (post-sorafenib) in patients with AFP-positive HCC. Additional objectives include anti-tumor activity, persistence of genetically modified cells in the body, and evaluation of the phenotype and functionality of genetically modified cells isolated from peripheral blood or tumor post infusion.

Additional information about this study is available at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov by searching on NCT03132792.

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Adaptimmune Therapeutics (ADAP) Begins Study on SPEAR T-Cell Therapy Targeting AFP in Liver Cancer - StreetInsider.com

AJ Foyt on fear, his stem cell therapy and more – Indianapolis Star

By Stem Cell Treatment

The Indy 500 legend has been through several highs and lows recently. Clark Wade/IndyStar

Indianapolis 500 legend A.J. Foyt.(Photo: Clark Wade/IndyStar)Buy Photo

Its been a long and wild ride, and A.J. Foyt has enjoyed nearly every second of it.

I had a lot of fun, the 82-year-old racing legend told IndyStar on Wednesday at his racing garage in Speedway. If I passed out talking to you right now and fell on the floor, at least I made good money, had a happy life and what else can you ask for? So many people are so miserable with their jobs and that. I had a wonderful job doing what was fun.

Foyts job driving into racing's history books provided him with a lifetimes worth of close friends, amazing stories and thrilling adventures. But it also often required him to put his life on the line.

"I guess I was a little bit crazy back in those days,"Foyt, who walks with a limp but without assistance, said with a smile.

But being crazy was part of the job, he said. He needed it to overcome his fears.

"A lot of race drivers you talk to these days say they've never been scared in racing," Foyt said. "Well, they're lying to you and they're lying to themselves. I cannot name you one race at one time or another thatI didn'tscare the hellout of myself. Honestly. I don't know if that's good or bad, but I'm just being honest with you."

Read more from Jim: Alexander Rossi is starting to feel at home in Indy

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Despite thosehealthy fears, his long and prestigious racing career resulted ina laundry list of injuries and eventual ailments that would and have horrifieddoctors.

The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion has stared death and dismemberment in the face more times than hed care to count, dealing withcar wrecks, killer bees, a bulldozer accident, heart ailments and two staph infections. As a result, hes nearly had his feet amputated,broken his back two or three times, has two false knees and a false hip, a titanium plate in his chest from open heart surgeryand said hell be on antibiotics for the rest of his life because of the amount of metal he has inside of him.

But he's far from discouraged and fightsto keep going with the same vigor and courage the colored his youth. One way he's done so recently is by undergoing stem cell therapy.Foyt said his wife, Lucy, who suffers from diabetes and arthritis, suggested that they both take on the treatment in order to try and find "the fountain of youth."

I mainly did it for her, Foyt said. She got sugar diabetes real bad, and (is) pretty sick, but, of course, I did it for myself too, dont get me wrong. But shes really been suffering the last five or six years. So we just thought wed try it.

A.J. and Lucy Foyt spent seven days in Cancun, Mexico the treatment is not performed in the United States undergoing a therapy he said likely wont take effect for another month at least. A.J. Foyt had adult stem cells injected into each shoulder and ankle, as well as into his blood.

Theres no guarantees the treatment will help either of them, but the uncertainty doesnt bother him.

I figure if we gain something, fine, and if we dont, well, Ive lost before," Foyt said.

But giving Foyt an edge in his fight against injury, ailment and Father Timeis a competitive fire that has burned within him his whole life.

A little more than a month ago, Foyt and fellow driving legend Dan Gurney were honored in Long Beach, Calif., for the 50th anniversary of their all-American victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans. Many racing greats attended the event, and Foyt was happy to see them, but he couldn't help but stackhimself up one more time against his old rivals.

I guess Im doing better than them, Foyt said with a smile. Poor Parnelli (Jones) has a lot of back trouble. Dan was in a wheelchair. Last three or four years Ive been going in and out of them, but Im still going pretty strong. So far Im hanging in there pretty good. ...Every days a good day. And Iguess thats good when youre getting ready to kick."

Follow IndyStar Motor Sports Insider Jim Ayello on Twitter and Instagram: @jimayello.

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AJ Foyt on fear, his stem cell therapy and more - Indianapolis Star

A trade in desperation: The rise of stem cell tourism – Pursuit

By Stem Cell Treatment

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We believe in the free flow of information. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives 3.0 Australia (CC BY-ND 3.0 AU), so you can republish our articles for free, online or in print.

All republished articles must be attributed in the following way and contain links to both the site and original article: This article was first published on Pursuit. Read the original article.

Associate Professor Megan Munsie, Dr Casimir MacGregor, Dr Claire Tanner, Jane Brophy and Professor Alan Petersen

In Australia, in recent years, there have been a number of news reports of patients and carers travelling overseas for stem cell treatments. Their journeys are part of a wider international trend, commonly referred to as stem cell tourism, whereby patients and their carers travel across geographical borders and jurisdictions to receive treatments that are experimental or clinically unproven, and hence, may not be available to them where they live.

The stories features in the news are often framed within a now-familiar narrativedesperate patients full of hope investing in treatments that promise much, and scientists and doctors voicing frustrations about entrepreneurial charlatans or cowboys operating at the margins of medicine and exploiting regulatory loopholes to sell snake oil.

Why, authorities ask, do patients and carers embark on such treatments that are unlikely to provide benefit, are expensive, and potentially in inflict great harm?

By their accounts, patients and carers tended to embark on the search for information, about the condition itself and about treatment options, very soon after diagnosis, and often in the absence of definitive expert advice.

Ivan, a father-carer of a child with cerebral palsy, articulated a commonly expressed view; namely, that no one gave us any real direction so we sort of had to do all the research ourselves.

Research can be long and tortuous, spanning in some cases a period of years, and take individuals and their families down numerous avenues, and sometimes blind alleys. Their post-diagnostic experience is thus in many respects similar to that of other patients, such as those suffering genetic conditions, long reported in the literature.

However, the rise of the internet and social media, along with the burgeoning number of online resources, has radically changed the architecture of choice. During their investigations, patients and carers encounter an array of online resources, found primarily via search engines such as Google, and information provided by disease-specific patient communities, individual patients and their families, as well as information offered by providers on their websites.

A number mentioned the importance of Facebook for sharing information, and YouTube videos and blogs for finding relevant sources. Through these avenues, and invariably after being advised of their limited options by their treating doctors after diagnosis, individuals soon came to the realisation that their options for proven treatment in Australia were limited or non-existent.

The nature of the condition and the prognosis constrain options and the potential and urgency to pursue those that are available. Individuals who embark on a stem cell treatment are in most cases struggling with severe, life-limiting conditions (e.g. spinal cord injury, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy), some terminal and, for many, time is of the essence.

As one patient, Greg, with a progress degenerative neurological disease affecting movement, explained in relation to his decision to pursue stem cell treatment in China: If youre in a condition like mine or cancer ... you will try these sorts of things. If you havent got a condition like that you tend to be more sceptical.

As he reasoned, stem cell treatment seemed to have more going for it than the whole range of things out there and, as they were financially able to undertake treatment, Well, why not try it now while I can?.

At least in one case, an element of pragmatism played a role in the decision to undertake stem cell treatment. Parents of a child with cerebral palsy, Ivan and Vlasta, said they had explored and tried various therapies and hoped that stem cell therapy would offer something differenta sort of more attractive way of try and give him a little boostthereby obviating the need for intensive, time- consuming daily therapy. As they explained, Were very busy people and running [a] business, and we have very little time to ourselves. This pragmatism also appeared to be a factor in their decision to take their child for treatment in Germany and China.

In their search for options, some individuals experimented with diets and complementary and alternative therapies.

Two patientsa patient with multiple sclerosis and a mother-carer of a child with autismmentioned that their research had uncovered the role of nutrition, which had led them to exclude gluten and dairy from their diet, which they felt had resulted in improvements in health.

In the latter case, as in a number of others, stem cell treatment was seen as additional to rather than supplanting complementary and alternative therapiesas one of an array of options that was seen as worth exploring. For some participants, clinics that were offering treatment packages, which included a range of therapies beyond Western biomedicine (i.e. acupuncture, massage, traditional Chinese medicine) in addition to stem cells, were particularly attractive and influenced their decision of where to travel.

The lack of stem cell treatment options in Australia was often cited as being crucial in the decision to travel overseas. Many individuals commented or implied that stem cell treatment should have been available to them in Australia and, since it was not, they felt that they had no choice but to seek treatment overseas.

One carer, Donna, whose partner suffered a rare neurological condition, when asked about the benefits for people travelling overseas for stem cell treatments, responded: Well you cant get it here so you dont really have a choice. If you want to try it ... well you dont have a choice.

A patient who had spinal cord injury, Axel, expressed similar sentiments when explaining the treatment challenges confronting those in his community: If theres no treatment available in Australia now and there wont be for a long time ... weve got no choice but to go over- seas to get treatment in the future.

Indeed, some described feeling desperate about their situation, underlining the anguish that they experienced. As we explain, this sense of abandonment, loss of hope and/or desperation does not always lead to the decision to pursue treatment; however, for virtually all, this perceived hopelessness and limited options or no choice in Australia defined the context within which decisions were made.

Banner image: In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images

This is an edited book extract from Stem Cell Tourism and the Political Economy of Hope whichis published by Palgrave Macmillan. More information is available here.

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Hundreds of new stem cell lines ready to help research – The San Diego Union-Tribune

By Stell Cell Research

Induced pluripotent stem cells have revolutionized stem cell science in the decade since their invention. Theyre yielding clues into the nature of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimers, and are also being tapped for therapy.

But creating these IPS cells is lengthy, complicated and tricky, and the facilities equipped to make them cant accommodate all the scientists whod like to get their hands on them.

A UK-led consortium has removed that bottleneck, by producing 711 lines of ready-to-go IPS cells from healthy individuals. These lines are meant to help scientists understand the normal variations between healthy individuals and those involved in disease, as well as to understand normal human biology and development.

The IPS lines are available for research purposes to academic scientists and industry by contacting the Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Initiative (HipSci), at http://www.hipsci.org and the European Bank for induced Pluripotent Stem Cells at https://www.ebisc.org.

The accomplishment was announced in a study published in Nature. It can be found online at j.mp/711ips.

While many other efforts have generated IPS cells to address rare diseases, this study produces them from healthy volunteers to plumb common genetic variation, Fiona Watt, a lead author on the paper and co-principal investigator of HipSci, from King's College London, said in a statement.

"We were able to show similar characteristics of iPS cells from the same person, and revealed that up to 46 per cent of the differences we saw in iPS cells were due to differences between individuals, Watt said in the statement. These data will allow researchers to put disease variations in context with healthy people."

Andrs Bratt-Leal, director of the Parkinson's Cell Therapy Program at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, agreed.

This kind of study is extremely important because it leads to a deeper understanding of the differences between normal genetic variation and genetic changes that could negatively impact cell behavior, said Bratt-Leal, who was not involved in the study.

This data will help scientists using induced pluripotent stem cells to model diseases as well as scientists developing cell therapies, said Bratt-Leal, who works in the lab of stem cell researcher Jeanne Loring.

Because DNA sequencing has become a routine tool in the lab, enormous amounts of data have been produced, he said. Not only have we have observed a high level of genetic diversity between different people, but also a more subtle variation exists among the cells from an individual person. The next step is a better understanding of how this diversity translates to function and behavior of stem cells and mature cells derived from stem cells.

Loring and Bratt-Leal are studying the use of induced pluripotent stem cells to relieve symptoms of Parkinsons disease. They are in the process of translating the research into a therapy, aided with a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

The work was the product of a large-scale collaboration of scientists from various institutions in the United Kingdom, including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Cambridge; Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge; the University of Dundee in Dundee; and the University of Cambridge. Also participating was St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research in Victoria, Australia.

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020

UPDATES:

1:00 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 10:00 a.m.

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Hundreds of new stem cell lines ready to help research - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Survival in MDS Equivalent With Reduced-Intensity Conditioning – Cancer Network

By Stem Cell Medical Center

Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing a reducedintensity conditioning (RIC) regimen prior to allogeneic stem-cell transplantation had similar 2-year relapse-free and overall survival as patients who underwent myeloablative conditioning (MAC), according to the results of the RICMAC trial.

The role of conditioning regimen intensity before allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for MDS has not been studied prospectively and recommendations are based on retrospective single-center or registry studies, wrote Nicolaus Krger, MD, department of stem cell transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and colleagues in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The rationale for using RIC before allogeneic stem-cell transplantation is to shift from high-dose chemotherapy that is aimed at maximizing cytotoxic leukemia killing to a more immune-mediated effect by harvesting the graft-vs-tumor effect to eradicate the disease.

In this study, the researchers enrolled 129 patients with MDS or secondary acute myeloid leukemia and randomly assigned them 1:1 to a busulfan-based RIC or MAC.

At 1 year, the non-relapse mortality was 17% in patients assigned RIC compared with 25% in patients assigned MAC (P = .29). The cumulative incidence of relapse at 2 years was 17% for RIC and 14.8% for MAC. This resulted in a 2-year relapse-free survival of 62.4% for RIC and 58.3% for MAC.

In a multivariate analysis for overall survival, RIC resulted in a significant survival benefit at 2 years, the researchers wrote. The 2-year overall survival was 76% for RIC and 63% for MAC.

Improved survival after RIC might be a result of lower mortality after relapse, they added. Whereas after MAC six of nine patients who experienced relapse died, in the RIC arm, only two of 11 patients who experienced relapse died.

In the low-risk group, treatment with RIC resulted in a lower non-relapse mortality (HR, 0.30). However, in patients with intermediate- and high-risk disease, treatment with RIC resulted in a higher non-relapse mortality (HR, 1.17; and HR, 2.14). The researchers noted that conclusive answer for this observation cannot be given, but a possible explanation would be that low-risk patients are protected from relapse and are thus more at risk for death without relapse.

Acute grade 2 to grade 4 and grade 3 and 4 graft-vs-host disease occurred in 32.3% and 15% of patients in the RIC arm and 37.5% and 14% of patients in the MAC arm, respectively. The cumulative incidence of chronic graft-vs-host disease was 61.6% after RIC and 64.7% after MAC.

The researchers concluded by writing, our study shows that RIC and MAC followed by allogeneic stem-cell transplantation resulted in at least an equivalent survival trend for a better 2-year overall survival, especially in the cytogenetic low-risk group, suggesting that RIC can be offered as an alternative to a myeloablative regimen.

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Survival in MDS Equivalent With Reduced-Intensity Conditioning - Cancer Network

Duluth Woman Meets, Finds Similarities with Stem Cell Donor – WDIO-TV

By Stem Cell Clinic

So how did they come together? It was less than 3 years ago that Edwards received the toughest news anyone can receive from a doctor.

"I was then diagnosed with leukemia, a rare form of leukemia," said Edwards.

The treatment for this rare form of blood cancer included multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

"All in all, it was enough toxins to kill a person if you ask me," said Edwards.

Edwards was also hoping to find help from someone else's blood.

"We started the search through Delete Blood Cancer and found a match," said Edwards.

The goal was to find a donor with a similar genetic makeup who could give Edwards their stem cells.

"We tried to match my brother and sister, but unfortunately there were not. So, we kept the search until we could find a match. It was a little nerve-racking, said Edwards.

That's where Halfkann comes in.

"I got a letter that I can be a stem cell donor, and I must go to the clinic in Cologne," said Halfkann.

Halfkann was already previously registered having signed up after one of her coworkers became ill. Although no successful matches were found back in Germany, in Minnesota, Halfkann was exactly who Merissa was looking for.

"Daniela is the only match in the world," said Edwards.

The news that Halfkann could save a stranger's life in the United States delighted the soft-spoken German.

"I'm so happy. I'm grateful," said Halfkann.

The stem cell procedure was pretty simple. Daniela donated blood. The stem cells were filtered out, then sent to Merissa in Minnesota where they were injected.

"There's a lot of complications after the stem cell transplant that could've gone wrong. Fortunately it didn't, which made Daniela an even more perfect match than she already is," said Edwards.

When Edwards heard about the woman who extended her life, she connected with Halfkann online.

"At first we wrote email, and then we connected on Facebook," said Halfkann.

After just a few notes, it was quickly discovered that the two have more in common than the blood running through their veins.

"We like a lot of the same things. Both have 2 children. Both of our husbands are firefighters," said Edwards.

And Edwards continues to successfully battle cancer.

"Right now I am in remission. That doesn't mean that I'll necessarily be cancer-free, but knock on wood...that's the goal...that the cancer will never come back," said Edwards.

There was only one thing left for Edwards to do; meet the woman and family that saved her life. So just a few weeks ago, the pair met for the very first time at Duluth International Airport.

"She is so nice. She is so lovely. I'm so happy we can be here," said Halfkann.

In the ten days together, they and their families created many memories. Halfkann got a glimpse of the life Edwards is now able to hold on to, and it wasn't long before the pair found more in common.

"We seem to like the same things...fruity tea, crafting, sewing, just similar interests in hobbies. Another common interest, shoes," said Edwards.

Both husbands also enjoyed their time together. At the firehouse, Merissa's husband, Dennis, giving Daniela's husband, Stefan, a tour of some of the American rigs and a ride along during an emergency call.

Back at headquarters, the crew made a home-cooked dinner for Halfkann's family and someone else who helped make all of this happen: Amanda Schamper, a representative of DKMS, the registry that matched Edwards and Halfkann.

"What we try to do is to raise awareness in all communities that this is a problem out there. People are searching for their donor match and can't find one," Schamper.

Schamper also showed everyone just how easy it is to sign up to be a bone marrow and stem cell donor.

"We do have a statistic that nearly 14,000 patients are told that they needed a transplant each year, and less than half can't get one because they can't find a donor match on the registry, said Schamper.

During the visit, Edward's extended family threw a get-together in honor of Halfkann. Edward's sister-in-law Kris Hansen is just as grateful.

"Just to know that she's here and they've met each other, and that she can save a life...it's incredible. It's nice to be able to see her and her family and her two adorable daughters," said Hansen.

Through the countless hugs at the party, family members repeated one phrase that transcends all languages.

"I guess the biggest thing we have to say is Danka Daniella!" said Hansen.

"Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for letting me be a Mom. Thank you for coming here so I can meet you and meet your beautiful children and your husband," Edwards said to Halfkann.

And with thanks, comes gratitude.

"I'll forever be grateful to you. You will always be a part of my family." said Edwards.

And this bond that will last a lifetime.

"We're forever connected," said Edwards.

"Yes. Forever," said Halfkann.

Edwards says she and her family are making plans to visit the Halfkann's in Germany.

If you're interested in signing up to become a bone marrow or stem cell donor, it's free and only takes a few moments. A link to that website can be found here.

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Duluth Woman Meets, Finds Similarities with Stem Cell Donor - WDIO-TV

HIV Destroys Lung Tissue by Reprogramming Airway Stem Cells – Technology Networks

By Uncategorized

Technology Networks
HIV Destroys Lung Tissue by Reprogramming Airway Stem Cells
Technology Networks
Now, new research from Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has uncovered a mechanism that might explain why this lung damage occurs. In the study, published May 9 in Cell Reports, investigators show how the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, ...

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HIV Destroys Lung Tissue by Reprogramming Airway Stem Cells - Technology Networks

Takeda signs deal with UK biotech GammaDelta Therapeutics on T … – pharmaphorum

By Uncategorized

Takeda has announced a $100 million collaboration with Abingworth to work with GammaDelta Therapeutics, a UK biotech which is pioneering a novel type of T cell therapy.

The Japanese pharma company, led by chief executive Christophe Weber, is looking to upgrade its R&D pipeline with some of the best cutting-edge science, and is investing in the newly launched biotech as part of this strategy.

GammaDeltas drug platform is based on the unique properties of gamma delta () T cells, a class of lymphocytes that play a role to many types of immune responses and immunopathology.

GammaDelta Therapeutics was founded last year with the help of venture capital firm Abingworth and the support from Cancer Research Technology Limited. Its work is based the on research of Professor Adrian Hayday and Dr Oliver Nussbaumer at Kings College London and the Francis Crick Institute.

The companys offices and labs are located at the London BioScience Innovation Centre, in Kings Cross, London.

Gamma delta T cells show promise to be in the next generation of immunotherapy treatments, potentially being highly potent and target-specific with fewer safety concerns compared to classes such as CAR-Ts.

Abingworth, Takeda and GammaDelta intend to use this novel platform to discover and develop treatments for a broad range of cancers, including solid tumours, and autoinflammatory diseases.

Paolo Paoletti

The pioneering research developed by Professor Adrian Hayday and Dr. Oliver Nussbaumer at Kings College London and the Francis Crick Institute, the scientific founders of our company, forms the basis for the development of potentially transformational treatments for cancer and autoinflammatory diseases, said Dr Paolo Paoletti, MD, CEO of GammaDelta Therapeutics.

We believe the collaboration with Takeda validates our novel approach and should allow us to move rapidly to the clinic.

Takeda, together with Abingworth, will commit up to $100 million in funding to accelerate GammaDelta Therapeutics led Research and Development. The funding includes an equity investment, an option fee and research and development funding, and provides Takeda the exclusive right to purchase GammaDelta Therapeutics. Under the agreement, Takeda will appoint a director to GammaDelta Therapeutics board.

At Takeda, we recognise the enormous potential of tissue resident T cells to deliver transformative medicines in our core therapeutic areas of oncology and gastroenterology, said Daniel Curran, MD, Head of the Center for External Innovation, Takeda. This collaboration is another example of our strategy to invest in highly innovative areas of science and were pleased to collaborate with the experienced team at GammaDelta Therapeutics as they aim to take a leadership position in this rapidly emerging field.

We are delighted by the progress GammaDelta Therapeutics has made since we founded the company in 2016, said Tim Haines, Managing Partner at Abingworth and a Director at GammaDelta Therapeutics. This collaboration with Takeda will enable the company to advance the development of this exciting technology, which has the potential to address significant unmet needs in cancer and autoinflammatory diseases.

Weber and R&D chief Andrew Plump have been overseeing a root and branch renewal of Takedas R&D operations. In January this year Takeda agreed to pay out $5.2 billion to acquire cancer specialist firm Ariad (a price that many analysts felt was too high), but also making more than half of the firms 300 staff redundant.

Takeda is already seeing a return on its $5.2 billion swoop for cancer drugs biotech Ariad at the beginning of the year after the FDA approved potential blockbuster brigatinib in lung cancer last week.

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Takeda signs deal with UK biotech GammaDelta Therapeutics on T ... - pharmaphorum

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